“The most important part of their 56 years of marriage was providing opportunities to their children,” he said. “My parents were always there for their children, from the days my Dad coached as kids and my Mom would work the concession stands.”

Flutie spent 12 seasons in the NFL after playing in the USFL and the Canadian Football League. His U.S. teams included the New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, Sand Diego Chargers and Chicago Bears.

He won the Heisman in 1984 as the quarterback for Boston College, where he threw a famous “Hail Mary” pass in the final minute of a game against the University of Miami Hurricanes, cinching a 47-45 win.